Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-07

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with requests from tue State authorities,
annual encampments OF militia in thir-
teen States have been inspected by Off
GERS Of the army. This system Of IN
spection has great advantages by bring
ing well.irained and instructed soldiers
in contact with the militia aud gives an
opportunity for improvement not to be
obtained in any othor way. Reports of
inspecting officers are full of encourage
ment, friendly criticism. and suggestions
10 the militia.
The report OF the inspecting officers
OF colleges having military details shows
that the students at these colleges are in
terested in drill and discipline and arc
apt and ready pupils; but greater inter
eat would be felt and better results Oh
tained Il the authorities of colleges
eyinced more sympathy with this mill
tary branch Of education and gave 10
the officers n seat in the faculty and 10
the military instructors position equal
to that of other branches OF study.
Little is said on the subject OF river
and harbor mproyements beyond state
ment that the report 0! the chief Of en-
eineers sets forth the condition OF each
Improvement and the amount OF work
performed during the last fiscal year.
In concluding his report the Secretary
says The results of the examinations
for promotion under the civil-servlce
regulations, which were applied to the
War Department in May. were salts
factory. The total number of clerks
examined was l,0l4, OF whom 963, or %
per cent passed, and Of this number
, 3j3, or 50 per cent, obtained an average
above 90 per cent. ; 81, or D per cent,
failed to pass, their average being less
than ID per cent.
/ renew the recommendations con-
tanned in my previous reports and in
those of my predecessors for the appoint
ment of al assistant secretary of war and
F Of an assistant Encouragement TO advise
ana assist il legal and technical ques-
tions which daily occur. ] must also re-
fer TO former recommendations for the
reorQanization of the force OF this Office
the estimates for which, it is hoped, will
receive the favorable consideration of
Congress.
>
The annual report of Attorney Gen
cra Garland was transmitted to Congress
to-day. The Attorney General calls at
tention to the suggestions and recon-
mendations made by him in his last an
nual report in regard to matters calling
for remedial legislation. and again urges
the necessity OF immediate action there
/. T.,.A. f.l
Of marsbals in the Territories pay of
dcputy-marshals revision of the fee
bill substitution of the fiscal for the
calendar year: protection to civil officers
and witnesses; fees of witnesses and ju-
r0rs criminal procedure perjury, and
laws and juries in the District of Co
lumbia.
Ia the chapter in regard to the con-
fnement and treatment Of United States
prisoners, the Attorney-GeneIal says he
is now more than ever convinced OF the
absolute need Of Government peni-
Tertiary and rcformatory. He says that
the cost of conducting n Government
penitentiary will not be greater eyentu-
ally than the cost OF subsisting prisoners
in the various penitentiaries through
ont the country Will be. lie adj
yoca.cs the appointment Of a com
mission to inquire into the adviso-
bility of Building Government peni-
tentiaries and reformatories, and
saws that it would seem that the United
States should have model prisons and
reiormatories of its own in which TO con-
fincits criminals, and in which provision
could be made for the employment Of
inmates at some suitable industries on
system OF labor which would not violate
the recent act of Congress nor be incon-
sistent with the laws passed by the several
States and prevailing opinions relative to
the subject of contract labor.
The Attorney-General says that III
creased expenses in the service of pro-
cess has been the experience Of the de-
partment since the passage Of the inter-
State commerce bill. Prior to the pas
sage Of that bill marshals were furnished
with free transportation over the various
lines of railway while in the service of
process. Since that date, however, no
free transportatic Is furnished, and the
railways charge mileage greater than
the fee allowed the marshal for his traye
in such service.